The Malaysian Insight

MEMBERS of Penang Voluntary Patrol Unit (PPS) which was declared illegal last year, should be integrated into the Civil Defence Department (JAPM).

Minister in the prime minister’s department Shahidan Kassim said they can help with emergency response in the events of a disaster in the state.

“PPS (members) should be absorbed into Civil Defence Department so they can work with Civil Defence Emergency Response Team (CDERT). 

“We will provide them with assets, a forward base, a place to store food and other things based on their requirements,” he said. 

He said the establishment of CDERT at community level in Penang will help provide emergency relief work. 

Earlier, Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin said PPS was effective in responding to emergency events. 

He requested Shahidan discuss with deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on reinstating PPS.

PPS was a voluntary unit formed in 2011 by the Penang executive council aimed at getting members of the public to fight crime. Its members wore purple vests.

On Merdeka Day in 2014, police arrested over 150 PPS members. PPS was then declared illegal and deemed a threat to public security by the Home Ministry after the Registrar of Societies labelled it an “unregistered” body.

State environment, welfare and caring society committee chairman Phee Boon Poh denied the Penang government was ill-prepared to deal with floods that killed seven people. 

He, however, said that there was insufficient manpower on the ground and the state government had to ask for the help because it did not have the specialised equipment and vehicles the military had. – November 8, 2017.